The value of gallium imaging after therapy for Hodgkin's disease.
BACKGROUND
Although it is used widely, the value of gallium imaging in managing Hodgkin's disease remains unclear.


METHODS
A retrospective review of gallium imaging and treatment outcome in 60 patients with Hodgkin's disease treated between January 1990 and July 1995 was conducted. The minimum follow-up was 1 year.


RESULTS
Based on gallium imaging, 46 patients were in complete remission (CR) after initial treatment, 10 were in partial remission (PR), and 4 had persistent or progressive disease (NR). Ten of 29 patients (34%) with gallium CR after chemotherapy subsequently recurred, compared with no recurrences in 17 patients receiving initial radiotherapy or combined chemoradiation. Eight of ten patients received further therapy after gallium PR, and nine patients remained disease free at last follow-up. Survival did not differ in patients achieving a gallium CR or PR.


CONCLUSIONS
Gallium-67 imaging may help confirm the presence of active Hodgkin's disease, but was unreliable in defining disease remission after chemotherapy in this study population. Patients with a gallium PR may still have a good prognosis after additional therapy.
Bogart
J A
JA
Department of Radiation Oncology, State University of New York Health Science Center, Syracuse 13210, USA.
Chung
C T
CT
Mariados
N F
NF
Vermont
A I
AI
Lemke
S M
SM
Grethlein
S
S
Graziano
S L
SL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes